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Sebastian de Belalcazar
Spanish Conqueror
 After setting sail for the New World in 159, Belalcazar served under
Pedro Arias Devila, in his campaign to take control of Nicaragua in
1524. After successfully seizing power over Nicaragua for the crown of
Spain, Belalcazar then joined Francisco Pizarro’s expedition to Peru in
1531, eventually splintering off on his own in 1533 to conquer Ecuador.
He defeated the Incan chief Ruminahui and occupied Quito in December of
1534. In 1535, he founded a permanent settlement at present-day
Guayaquil.
Like many other Spanish explorers, Belalcazar was entranced and lured by
wild and extravagant tales of the fabled city of El Dorado, the
legendary city of gold and riches. Searching for El Dorado, Belalcazar
pressed on into Colombia, founding Popayan, and became the district’s
governor.
Belalcazar fought bitterly with the Spanish leaders during his reign of
office, eventually going so far as to actually kill another Spaniard. He
was pronounced guilty of this murder and was imprisoned for his crime,
and eventually died in prison. |
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